Bendaled

Bending the Rules of Lighting and Energy efficiency at the speed of Green Light! Taking green technology to consumers and eco-friendly warriors all over the world.

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Bathroom Renovations on the Rise

Any home owner today is known to be worried about the notion of being able to keep up with the home ownership process. There are now more people than ever before that are concerned with making sure that all proponents of the ownership process are successfully kept up with. Anyone considering this process should learn the reasons why owners remodel bathrooms in the average home is to help guide their decision making process.

  Bathrooms are generally areas of the house that are considered to be very stressful to keep up with and maintain. These are the areas of the house that are known to be quite specifically used on a continual basis in an attempt to make sure that this frequently used area remains as successfully maintained and cared for as possible at all times. More people than ever before decide upon this process when considering any renovation project.

  Nowadays many states are filled with homes that could truly benefit from this renovation process. This is also an opportunity where many consumers, who, if they are unsure if this is the process they should be considering, could maximize opportunities in energy efficiency, with sustainable products and lighting. Keeping a few facets in mind helps people make an effective choice for their homes.

  People focus on this room in an effort to create a very modern and refreshed appearance. The items that are found in this room are known to become outdated very fast. Replacing them with newer and more modern items helps provide a successful appearance overall.

  This is also a process that offers the ability for people to conserve on water and energy. The items that are purchased and used in a new fashion are generally seen as being much more restricted in the natural resources they use. They are aimed at providing the foundation for anyone to save as much money as possible.

  Finally, bathroom remodels in the average home help increase the asking price of the home. Most people are known to tune in on this process to help recuperate some of their lost value. This helps offer an increased sense of worth for the entire house in many cases.

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The Tron Effect

For bikers the lovers, it’s all about freedom. The freedom to be one with the road. The freedom to move at will, in real time and to follow your own rules. To go only where only a few men and women will ever go and to do it at unbelievable speeds.  The love of riding a bike can take on my forms and permutations.

  Take the consideration of the bike itself, the choice of riding gear. The brands worn by the rider say as much about him or her as it does about the rider itself.  The road travelled is equally important. It is only to commute to and from an innocuous job or is the bike for unleashing your soul, whenever you have the chance?

  Does the biker ride alone, in self imposed solitary confinement, in an effort to metaphorically channel the thief who takes only what everyone else takes for granted. Or does the biker ride in a group, so that the experience can be shared with as many people as possible?

  Sharing the road, balancing the id with a cacophonous display of landscape spread out like transgressing dream is something to be shared and lived indeed. The question now becomes for each rider, to not only distinguish himself from other riders but to do so in staying true to what he or she believes in.

  In Tron Legacy, the motorcycle scenes were visually stunning if not ambitious in their daring undertakings. Eye-candy if you will, for the calculating rider, who is intent on setting himself apart from others.

  Rider and bike are nearly indistinguishable in the blend of glowing tape light and sleek black fiberglass and leather. Pulsating in and out of ever tightening curves and imminent danger. It’s what most riders thrive on.

  Creating a look that epitomizes the rider you are or intend to become are easily amplified by customizing your bike with inexpensive tape light. Programmable controllers allow riders to create a symphony of color or visual displays that give subtle hints about your acutely formed personality or to simply tell other motorists, “I’m here” or “try as you may, you can’t ignore me!”.

  With more than 6 standard colors and the ability to create your own color combinations, Bendaled offers riders the ability to make a statement or just a very vibrant and color cloud of dust in your wake.

  Riders can take the next step (here).

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Reuse Shipping & Packaging Boxes

Shipping and packaging boxes can quickly pile up, especially during the holidays, but don’t pitch them! Instead, turn them into stylish organizers with our easy, sew-free technique for covering them with fabric or paper. Plus, get plenty of organizing ideas for your new storage bins.

No-Sew Fabric Box Coverings No matter what it once held—books, shoes, tissue—any box can go from trash to treasure with a quick fabric covering:

1.Prep boxes. Wipe clean of any dust or dirt and peel off labels as best you can, so you have a clean, smooth surface for covering. If the box is printed with bold logos, consider using a thicker, darker fabric so they won’t show through.

2.Measure & cut fabric. Measure the box and lid (optional) then cut fabric—any color, any pattern—to size. Keep in mind—the fewer cuts you make, the more seamless the look. That said, you can always hide seams with trim or ribbon.

Tip: For one-of-a-kind boxes, buy plain-colored fabric and paint it yourself.

 3.Adhere fabric. Working one side at a time, apply a layer of white glue with a foam brush, covering from edge-to-edge. Or spray with multi-purpose adhesive. Then, adhere fabric to box, smoothing out any bubbles with a craft stick.

Paper-Covered Boxes In addition to fabric, you can cover boxes with maps, book pages and other paper. Since big sheets are prone to tearing over time, use our Simple Decoupage Technique to create storage bins that will stand up to everyday use.

Organizing Ideas for Covered Boxes Whether you need long-term solutions or quick ways to corral clutter before guests arrive, your new storage bins can hold just about anything:

 •Holiday Decorations: When hidden storage space is limited, store seasonal items like holiday lights and ornaments out in the open in covered boxes. They’re organizers and décor all rolled into one!

Tip: Whatever you’re storing, labeling is a must. And it can even be fun with our Creative Labeling Ideas and free letters and numbers templates.

•Cords & Chargers: To de-clutter your desk, entertainment area and living room, put chargers and extension cords in boxes. For tangle-free storage, slide each inside an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube, then arrange upright in the box.

•Gift Wrapping Supplies: Turn a taller box, like the type used to ship golf clubs, into a wrapping supplies storage hamper.

•Plastic Grocery Bags: Keep a covered tissue box on the kitchen counter as a reminder to put away extra bags after you’ve unpacked the groceries.

•Mail: A box-turned-mail sorter keeps incoming and outgoing mail, forms and other correspondence in perfect order. Cover 3-5 thin boxes, like the kind books come in, then stack so all openings face the same direction. Secure together with hot glue.

•Paperwork: No filing cabinet, no problem. Create an organized folder system inside a box for filing receipts, bills, tax documents and other paperwork.

•Craft Supplies: Fill small jars with buttons, beads and other supplies. Tightly twist on the lids and store upside-down in a covered shoebox, so you can always see what’s inside each.

•Entryway Clutter: Clear this high-traffic area of stray backpacks, shoes and other items by making personalized family storage baskets from covered boxes.

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A Peaceful Retreat for the Holiday Weary

Fabled Malibu, a 27-mile strip of Southern California coastline, is the embodiment of the good life, where expensive real estate is sandwiched between ocean and cliff. The property values here may be astronomical, but the vibe is almost studiously laid-back. No one bats an eye when a celebrity happily plops down at the next table or jogs by on the beach.

But before the 47-room Malibu Beach Inn revealed its $15-million makeover in 2007, visitors were hard pressed to find accommodations that lived up to the town’s glamour — the closest high-end hotels were in Santa Monica or Los Angeles. Then entertainment mogul David Geffen poured his millions into the previously undistinguished three-story motel-style inn on Carbon Beach (known as “Billionaire’s Beach”), just southeast of the Malibu Pier. The result: A modern escape that allows the rest of us to to get a taste of Malibu's good life.

Like a page out of a Crate and Barrel catalog, the rooms here are cool and sophisticated, decorated in earthy tones of cream, sandy beige and exotic wenge wood. Wine coolers stocked with seven bottles of California's finest, upscale Molton Brown bath products, fireplaces and sliding doors opening to private balconies with spectacular views all spell relaxation. And if the sound of crashing waves along the inn’s private beach doesn’t lull you to sleep, you simply aren’t in the right mood for this vacation.

In a mod touch, the inn created an iOS app that accesses hotel services from food to housekeeping to valets. Don’t have an Apple device? The inn will lend you an iPod Touch for your stay. Trust us, the app comes in handy when you’re set up on the beach in a lounge chair shaded by an umbrella and suddenly feel parched — just tap, tap, tap the screen and your cold beverage is on its way.

On the third floor, the Cure Spa has walls lined in woven seagrass and ceilings draped with creamy linen, lending the feel of a beachside tent. There’s a full list of treatments using local company Osea’s marine products, and it’s all private: The room and full bathroom are yours alone, and couples treatments can be arranged.

The inn’s public areas are compact and intimate, dotted with artwork by contemporary painter Glenn Ness. Most of the year the open terrace provides extra seating on rattan chairs at tables shaded by umbrellas, and guests spend hours lulled by the gentle breeze.

What to do

Hike. The mountains that cradle Malibu are full of hiking trails that wind into wilderness, past waterfalls and reveal stunning views of the entire Santa Monica Bay and Catalina Island.

Scream. Just 20 miles from Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway, the Santa Monica Pier houses an amusement park featuring a roller coaster and the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel, which provides dramatic views of the beach, the bay, the city and the mountains from 130 feet up.

Sip. Yes, even beachy Malibu has a burgeoning wine scene. Visit Cornell Tasting Room or the Rosenthal Estate and sip Rhone-style wines from vineyards clinging to the hillsides behind those insanely expensive houses.

Surf. Do as the Southern California natives do and surf or paddleboard. Need lessons? There are numerous companies, including Zuma Jay’s.

See. The Getty Villa is a replica of an ancient Roman villa from the city of Herculaneum (yes, kitschy, but also quite beautiful), housing Greek, Etruscan and Roman art. Reservations are required but entrance is free.

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Are You Winning at Procrastinating?

Now that Christmas is over, are you finding it hard to get started with "undoing" the holiday decor?

Putting off tasks, leaving them to the last minute, arriving late, leading a chaotic life with stress, resentment and guilt, but worst of all missing out on opportunities

  Saying I have to do this or I have to do that, being gripped by the panic of impending deadlines, beating yourself up, kicking out in resentment and rebellion for missing the goal posts for something you felt forced to do

  Making excuses, I can’t afford it or I lack the confidence or saying this doesn’t work and that doesn’t work without even making the effort to find a way

  Hanging onto the things you’ve been doing for years, while not starting anything new until the other project is finished. Perfecting, perfecting, perfecting it’s a great trap

  This is the habitual way of the Leader in Procrastination.

  But hey, don’t beat yourself up for not doing STUFF. Ignore the jibes of the less worldly and wise. Maybe you’ve been the shrewd one. Maybe it is for the best that you didn’t do THINGS. Maybe stuff and things just haven’t been right in a while.

  Deep down you know that you’ve been marking time. Deep down you know the moment has not been right for you to seize life. Deep down you know your time to act will come; your moment when you no longer HAVE TO, but WANT TO.

  And if that want hits you this week; if that want packs a punch in your gut today; if that want stirs you in an hour, a minute or now, you’ll know to act. And act you will, striking like a viper.

  This is the Leader in Procrastination biding their time. Many others are just like you now, marking time. Many others were like you yesterday, but then decided to strike today and grasp the life they have before them. They have chosen to shrug off the have to and discover the want to; they have chosen to dream a little, to find passion, to find the leader within them that will bring love and life in golden bursts of sunlight.

  They have chosen to re-find their gifts and use them in distinctive ways that touch and change other people’s lives. They have shrugged the existence. They have chosen to drop the clinking chains of education, religion, family values and peer pressure and be true to their souls, not what they are told their souls must be.

  And you can join them. You too can move beyond the have to to the want to. You can discover who you really are, what you really want to do. You can be a leader.

  But what if you don’t act this week, this day, this hour, this minute? What if you put it off and let it go now? Well then perhaps the best moments of your life will never be. Perhaps your dreams of leadership, love, laughter and light will dissolve and then where will you be.

  In twenty years you will be older, more disappointed, maybe haggard and resentful; spitting mad at the love you lost or never was; spewing that you have to work such long hours for little money and bitter at the world for denying you the wealth others have in abundance.

  But who will be the one to feel the hurt? Who will be the one to cry on the mattress?

  Not you my friend, not you.

  Not you because you were a leader in the chrysalis a leader in Procrastination.

  Not you because you are not that person now. Not you because this week, this day, this hour, this minute you have changed. You have woken up to your true power. You understood that this procrastination was protecting you from stuff you have to do.

  Now you have found a want with in you. A want to discover you; a want to discover your purpose; your meaning; your direction; a want to be who you really are; a want to do what you really want!

  Take that want now and do something with it now. Explore. Have fun. Open up to the vast field of potentiality out there and be free of the chains of procrastination.

  You are a leader now, no longer in procrastination. Find yourself

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80,000 LEDs and Only $15 More in Electricity?

Glacier Lights 2011 Greensleeves from Glacier Lights on Vimeo.

People constantly confuse LED technology with too much hassle or expense. The truth is that neither is applicable. Glacier Lights, located in San Jose has been attracting record breaking crowds year after year with amazing LED light shows. Spanning more than 2 yards and encompassing more than 80,000 LED lights, Glacier Lights coordinates music and lights to dazzle astonished crowds.

The misconception that LED are too costly and investment simply no longer holds water and the proof is in the video and electric bill. Glacier Lights noted a mere $15 increase in their monthly electrical bill with the application of 80,000 lights.

Powering their shows for an average of 4 hours per night, helps to keep the cost down and maintain crowd control.

The point is simply this; the average homeowner has no intention of undertaking such a vast application of lighting to this extent at holiday time or any other time for that matter. The use of smart LED technology and lighting are the wave of the future.

More output, less heat, variety of color and the ability to replace a single bulb without disruption to the entire string. However, the most compelling reason of all, and for many, the reason at the forefront of consideration is cost.

A $15 increase for 80,000 LED lights in you monthly electrical bill, makes the case for adding more LED replacement bulbs to the holiday strands that you currently have, if you're not 100% convinced that this is the affordable and eco-friendly way to celebrate the holiday, from this moment on.

For more information on replacement bulbs, string and strands, Visit Bendaled today.

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Merry Christmas From Bendaled

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A Great Time For the Holidays

Holidays are a blessing to some and others dread their arrival. Why do we have Holidays? Surely celebrating a big event like the Fourth of July or Christmas is definitely time to bring out the decorations and prepare meals fit for a king or queen. But does everyone feel the same - are there always smiles and anticipation?

  Holidays were created as a respite from our day to day workabout world. Even our founding fathers realized that pioneers and settlers needed that time out. All through the generations, holidays have served as a means of bringing family, friends, neighbors, and assorted critters together to share a meal, watch a parade, listen to a band, and have fun. But not all holidays are met with the same amount of enthusiasm. Many people do not relish the idea of gathering with friends or family and would prefer to just keep on working or doing whatever it is they do. This is fine for them, but for others this would eliminate a very vital part of our lives.

  People celebrate for a lot of different reasons. Patriotism, religious belief, civil remembrances, and ethnic backgrounds are just a few aspects in our lives that denote a special date as a holiday. But there are personal or family holidays as well. We have birthdays, anniversaries and we take the time to denote a particular day as special.

  All holidays do not have to be big, expensive and include a hundred or more people.

They can be on a scale from a grand event that includes entire cities, towns, or even countries, but they can be between two people, a family, or just a few select relatives or friends.

  We can celebrate and mark a holiday for whatever we choose. Of course, it is always fun to plan and anticipate the major ones (Christmas, Easter, New Years, etc.) There are food holidays that will brighten our menu plans and give us a chance to try out different foods and styles of eating. (Chinese New Year, Snail Week, Taco Day, etc.) We have remembrance days (Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.). It’s always nice to pay respect to those who have given more than their share to preserve the lifestyle we maintain and the freedom we enjoy.

  If you dread holidays, maybe you are just looking at them through past glasses. If there were unpleasant moments when family or friends gathered, a specific holiday that triggers a personal loss, or tragic event, then feel free to reflect on whatever the memory is, but also give yourself the right to pay your respects and then move on to the day. What happened with the cousins on the last family reunion may never happen again or it may surface each time they get together. Don’t let these unfortunate incidents mar any future celebrations.

  If need be, if the loss or memory is perhaps too painful, celebrate in your own way or in a simplified way. Of course, remembering our family or friends is a definite tribute to them, but a far greater one would be to go on and move ahead.

  Tuck away their accomplishments, your attachment, or feelings into your heart, and know that they are safe and forever. Then enjoy whatever celebration is at hand, and participate. At first, you may want to take it slowly, test the water, and find your own niche in whatever is going on.

  As time passes, be braver and attempt a step further and a little more involvement. Before you know it, life will again become a time of enjoyment and holidays will not be a dreaded affair.

  Holidays are not only a break from our work world, but an insurance policy for the future. We have the past to look upon and learn from, and the present gives us the time to slow down, reflect or remember, plan, and move on into the future.

  Many people shy away from holidays because they are expensive and they usually end up paying for gifts two to three years down the line. Don’t fall into this trap of outdoing and out buying. Nothing is more appreciated than something you have made or created. Store bought gifts and decorations are fine in their own right, but the joy of making your own with family or friends is chalked down to creativity, imagination and care. Bake your own celebration goodies, or prepare a meal that everyone contributes to and you have the makings of a great time.

  Let kids make their own musical instruments or party favors and the day will be grander yet. As for gifts, give from the heart, not the pocketbook. Have a coffee lover, then buy a great coffee mug and fill it with goodies. Simple, personal, and definitely from the heart. Have a quilter, artist, writer, secretary, doctor, bus driver, teacher, or any other interest or occupation on your list? Devise a fanciful way to celebrate who they are. If you knit or are creative, then by all means - be! Use your skills and talent to make gifts that are hand-made. If you lack in the craft or skill category, then imagination is free and abundant.

  Think of a gift that takes into account who this person is and what fine point in them that you find special. A simple gift box or basket with items related to their hobby or interest is always a heartfelt gift. A picture or book that they may have admired, or create a collage of their favorite items, laminate, and they have a coffee table tray or dresser tray to spark a smile or laugh for a long time.

  Decorations should also be personal and do not have to be perfect. Let children help, as well as everyone in the household or office. Not only will you get great decorations, but a wonderful time of laughter, conversation, and downright fun.

  Holidays are definitely a time of celebration. Make your own up for your private personal events, and make note of the major ones. Write them on your calendar, plan, and make way for great moments, memories and heartwarming times. Don’t let the past press into the future. It has its place but so does today. The future will be better for everyone if you lend a hand, make a gift, string some homemade garland, and enjoy yourself. Your smile, your laugh, and your effort will go a long way - don’t be selfish and let the world do without. Without you, there will always be something missing. Let’s have complete, wonderful holidays to look forward to.

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Last Minute Gift Giving Ideas

Running out of time to procure something to give to a loved one?  Then worry no more because a gift card can absolutely make an excellent last minute gift. Just look for the plentiful offerings that suit the needs and interest of the person you're giving it to and you're done. For instance, knowing your recipient's favorite store and to get a card for that particular establishment is, in many cases a slam-dunk, when your recipient can shop at his/her favorite place.

  In selecting the best gift, the question should really be “Where to Buy Gift Cards?” instead of what to buy or how much value to put into the purchase of a gift card. Apparently, this is the latest craze in the market these days. Aside from its being easy to purchase and reasonably cheap, Gift Cards are also considered an ideal gift that everyone will surely love to receive.

  A gift card is a restricted monetary equivalent or scrip that is commonly distributed by retailers or banks to be used as a substitute to a non-monetary reward. Commonly ranked as the 2nd most given gift by consumers in the United States as shown in the latest surveys for the last 2 years in a row.  Gift Cards are ranked the number one most-wanted by women and the third choice among men. Buying it is considerably favorable as it alleviates the donor of choosing a specific gift.

  Anyone can get these gift cards from just about any store now, including grocery and big box retail stores and online retailers offering even greater discounts. With a huge variety of gift cards available, ranging from restaurants, to department stores to gas stations and more. What is needed for most people to do is to go to your favorite retail establishment, rush to the gift card area and grab what you think is perfect for your gift recipient.

  Both the recipient and the buyer should be on cloud nine with these cards: thus, it's a win-win situation. One of the best offers a retailer can give to attract more consumers and increase their earnings at the same time, is to offer incentives on specific dollar purchases. Similarly, consumers achieve peace of mind for not having to put a lot of time into thinking what to buy for a relative that  they have no idea what to buy for. Additionally, it gives the recipient the freedom to buy precisely what he or she has longed to have as holiday present.

  An Online Gift Card is with no doubt, what most people enjoy. Is it the be-all-end-all gift? Far from it, but it does come in a close second! Think of the comfort it brings when you don't need to go to the store and wander around until you find the most adorable gift for someone. It only takes several minutes to obtain one, but the happiness it gives both parties is tremendous. Drained from an entire day of work and STILL have last minute shopping to do? Consider treating yourself with a gift card and grab anything that amuses you from your own favorite store.

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Maximizing Opportunities

Ever thought about real estate investing? Should you not fully comprehend all the facts at this point, a lot more people have become millionaires by the means of employing the method of real estate than any other job or enterprise. The explanation is really straightforward; families need a place to live. The beauty is; anyone can generate profits based on doing their due diligence, and buying strategically, regardless of whatever the economy is doing.

  How does one get started in real estate investing? There are numerous ways to get started in real estate. The most obvious and direct way is buying homes and then renting them out. The drawback to this method is that you must usually be flush with cash or good credit, at least enough to finance the properties while seeking renters.

  Now that you’re considering becoming a landlord. You may want to research getting into providing lease or rental agreements. This is pivotal if you are targeting a highly sought after real estate market. Meaning, you can fill your rental property relatively easy.

  What's the hot market? If you guessed holding on to rental houses, then you are right! Buying and renting foreclosed houses has become big business in the world of real estate investment. When done right, investors can shoot their income to the moon. When done wrong, they can lose their shirt, shoes and socks, as we all already know.

  What's the secret to success? For starters, never cut corners, go green in rehabbing a rental property and never create situations that put the family that purchases your home in personal or financial risk. You want to create a safe and eco-friendly home for the family or person that ultimately makes the rents your property. You do not accomplish this by taking shortcuts and using shoddy workmanship.

  Money doesn't grow on trees! Some would-be investors have no expense plan, which in and of itself is a recipe for disaster. You can't play by the ear when deciding to invest in real estate. It's essential to appropriately evaluate each and every dwelling to compute precisely what the expenses will be. In situations where an investment does not go with your finances, move on to the next possible house.

  How long does it take to fully invests in real estate? With regards to renovating properties, the longer it takes to get a house ready, the more money you could potentially lose. Create a plan; use green and sustainable materials to maximize efficiency. Make sure you have a deadline fixed to have the house ready and after that move to conquer that time stamp.

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Are Incandescent Light Bulbs Being Phased Out?

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (the “Energy Bill”), signed by President George W. Bush on December 18, 2007 requires all light bulbs use 30% less energy than today’s incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The phase-out will start with 100-watt bulbs sold starting in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs sold starting in January 2014. By 2020, a Tier 2 would become effective which requires all bulbs to be at least 70% more efficient (effectively equal to today’s CFLs).

The standards set by the bill are technology neutral, meaning any technology can qualify. In the near future, a "next generation" of incandescent bulbs could satisfy the 30% increased efficiency. There are also other lighting technologies, such as halogen and LEDs that will be able to meet the new requirements and are expected to both increase in performance and drop in cost over the next few years.

There are many types of incandescent bulbs that are exempt from this law: --any kind of specialty light (ie. bulb in refrigerator) --reflector bulbs --3-way bulbs --candelabras --globes --shatter resistant --vibration service --rough service --colored bulbs (i.e. "party bulbs") --bug lights --plant lights

The law applies to the sale of bulbs, not the use of existing stock of bulbs. Under the new law, screw-based light bulbs will use fewer watts for a similar lumen output. The standards are technology neutral, which means any type of bulb can be sold as long as it meets the efficiency requirements. Common household light bulbs that traditionally use between 40 and 100 watts will use at least 27% less energy by 2014. The law applies to the manufacturer date and will begin affecting 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. California began the transition one year earlier.

The law is being phased in over the next three years. The second part of the law requires that most light bulbs be 60-70% more efficient than the standard incandescent today; this will go into effect in 2020. Many compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and many Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) can meet this requirement today, shaving energy usage compared to standard incandescents by 75%.

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A Gift-Giving EPA?

A Gift-Giving EPA? You read that right. The EPA comes bearing gifts this Holiday season.  Well, they are actually gift giving tips that are meant to support a healthy environment for this season and the rest of your new year. Energy Star, Design for the Environment, and WaterSense labels can be found on thousands of products across the country, making it easy to choose gifts that can help anyone on your list save energy and protect the environment. By using these products this holiday season, consumers can cut their energy bills and harmful pollution while helping keep our environment healthy.

  Energy Star encourages consumers to purchase gifts that carry the Energy Star label. Nearly all entertainment products from TVs and Blu-ray disc players to Home-theaters-in-a box carry the Energy Star label. These products typically use 25% less energy than their non-qualified counterparts.

  Look for the Energy Star label on LED decorative light strings to meet your holiday decorating needs. Qualified light strings use about 70 percent less electricity than incandescent light strings and are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and lengths. These Energy Star qualified light strings save energy and are more durable, shock-resistant and cooler to the touch.

  Encourage gift recipients to reuse or recycle their old electronics, allowing the valuable materials within to be used again in new products while helping to save natural resources. Check out EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling initiative for more information on how to safely recycle electronics, including cell phones, computers, and TVs.

  For the more crafty gift-givers, try wrapping gifts in recycled paper bags, recycled wrapping paper, or give gifts that don’t require excess packaging to keep more trash out of landfills.

  Lastly, while preparing for and cleaning up after a holiday meal often requires more water use than usual. Running your tap continuously while preparing food or washing dishes wastes water and can use more than two gallons of water every minute your tap is running. EPA's WaterSense program provides useful tips and over 4,000 products have earned the WaterSense label to save water, energy and money. If every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on just Christmas Day, it would save more than 1 billion gallons of water.

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7 Things Even a Kid Should Know About Money

Did you know that the majority of people retire broke? Or at least not nearly as well off as they had hoped they’d be.

It's true. After a lifetime of hard work and having earned literally hundreds of thousands of dollars, they end up with nothing.

So where did all their hard-earned cash go? The answer is, it passed right through their fingers. While schools are great at teaching algebra, calculus, and geometry... how many of us learned about the basics of personal finance and creating financial security for ourselves?

The truth is, the earlier you learn to handle money, the more likely you are to manage it properly and live a prosperous life. So why not provide a little home schooling for your family and teach them the basics? Here are 7 important lessons to instill in your kids about money:

1. Save something of what you earn

Acquiring the savings habit is one of the smartest things you can ever do. If you're reading this now as a middle-aged parent, imagine how much you'd have in the bank today if you'd saved 10% of everything you'd ever earned. (It's almost scary to think about, isn't it?) Teach your kids to save a little of everything they earn.

2. Don't borrow what you can't pay back

Debt is one of the greatest social diseases of our time. The price to pay for the "have now, pay later" philosophy is that you certainly will pay later. Debt imprisons you in a job you don't like, creates stress and anxiety in your life, and erodes your wealth creation program. You will never become rich while you're in debt. Period. Teach your kids the value of delayed gratification. "If in doubt, go without".

3. To give is to get

Managing money doesn't mean hoarding it and locking it away in its own purpose-built high security jail. It simply means being careful, spending wisely, and acquiring a regular savings habit. Teach your kids that donating money to worthwhile causes is a noble thing to do, and that the money returns to you in more ways than you can imagine.

4. Money isn't evil

"Money is the root of all evil" and "filthy lucre" are phrases you'll hear banded around. Ignore them. Money actually brings enormous good into the world. For example:

- Creating wealth helps create jobs for others

- Investing in business helps to bring solutions into people's lives by way of innovative products and services

- Acquiring a great fortune allows you to donate more money to charity - or even start your own trust fund

Teach your kids that money is neither good nor bad - it's what you do with it that makes the difference.

5. If you don't spend much, you can't lose much!

One of the oldest wealth-creation maxims is, "It takes money to make money". Unfortunately, it also takes money to lose money. Teach your kids the value of caution when entering into financial affairs. And let them know that many self-made millionaires started with literally nothing.

6. Get the best price for everything you can

Your financial health is really the difference between how much you earn and how much you spend. It therefore makes sense not to pay any more money for something than you have to. Teach your kids that bargain-hunting doesn't make you a "miser" - just a sensible individual.

7. The fast buck is your last buck

Sooner or later everyone gets offered a "surefire" method of making a fortune, whether it's the three-card trick, a once-in-a-lifetime investment plan, or some time-limited business opportunity only available to a select few... Don't fall for too-good-to-be-true scams. Teach your kids that wealth creation is a simple and timeless process based on common sense.

If you had learned the above principles when you were 10 years old, and had applied them every day of your life, would you be financially healthier today?

You betcha!

Teach your kids the timeless truths of acquiring and keeping wealth. Knowledge truly is the most precious gift you can give.

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Green Ways to Use Old Greeting Cards and Photos

If you're like me, you have hundreds of photographs sitting in envelopes. Pictures from birthday parties, weddings, family gatherings, anniversaries, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You have already put the best snapshots into albums and these are leftovers. You don't want to throw them away, but you also don't know what to do with them.

Instead of letting your snapshots take up space and contribute to the clutter in your home, use them to make collages (at a cost of less than $10 each) that you can give as Christmas gifts to family and friends. Here's how:

  Assess your collection of pictures. Do you have several dozen of your spouse or significant other? Your parents? Your children? Grandparents? A friend? A beloved pet? Decide which person would like to receive these pictures and divide them into groups accordingly.

Buy a picture frame with glass (either 5x7 or 8x10) for each collage you are going to make. Department stores sometimes have sales on picture frames, and you can often purchase a suitable frame for $5 or less.

Cut a sheet of paper (use cardstock, 24# paper or light cardboard) to match the size of the opening on the picture frame. Cut out the background of the pictures, leaving just the people (or pets). Cut out enough pictures to cover the sheet of paper.

Arrange the cut-out pictures on the paper. Mix and match and experiment. Try placing the pictures at different angles.

After you have an idea of how you would like to arrange the pictures, glue them to the paper. (Check the label to make sure that you can use the glue with photographs.) Cover the entire sheet of paper with pictures.

When the glue is dry, insert the paper into the frame. Collages are not only a good way to use your old snapshots, but the recipients also will cherish them for years to come as a special and thoughtful gift.

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Last Minute Online Shopping Tips

Christmas shopping is no longer confined to the local mall or an annual catalog that happens to find its way into your mailbox. Thanks to advanced technology, there is literally a whole world of shopping at your fingertips. The internet has revolutionized the way people shop and, besides, what better way to do your Christmas shopping than from the comfort of your own home. No longer must we suit up and weather the harsh winter days in the hopes of checking a few names off of our Christmas list. The store aisles, as we know them, are crowded and hectic.

But now, many store aisles are becoming virtual, a shopping cart is something you fill with images of a product and a checkout is something that you click on to confirm your order. Things have changed a lot in the past years and I wonder how many of us couldn't even imagine what life would be like without the convenience of shopping on the internet. There are several tips for online Christmas shopping, which can make the experience a smooth and pleasant one.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #1: Be prepared It's a good idea to start your shopping with a complete list. This will save you both time and money with having to go back and place a separate order later on. With most online stores, you pay a flat shipping fee. In some cases, if you spend a certain amount of money on your order, the shipping and handling fee is waived. It's always best to get everything you want, all at once, to save on shipping. Before you commit to buying from one store, shop around and compare prices on both the product and shipping.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #2: The early bird gets the gift (okay- for next year) If you want to get the best selection, begin your holiday shopping early. Internet stores generally carry large quantities of every item, but even they can sell out. As Christmas draws near, it becomes more difficult to find the exact item that you're looking for. There's nothing like finding the perfect item and seeing the words, 'Sold Out' written under the price.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #3: Shop Safe When ordering anything online, check product reviews if available. Always shop secured websites because you will be entering your credit card, or banking information, for payment. You don't want your financial information accessed by anyone else, which is why all secured websites let you know how they protect your data.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #4: Wrap it up If you're like most, there's not a lot of extra time around the holidays. If you need to save some time on wrapping, most online stores offer a gift wrapping service for a small fee. At some point during the ordering process, you may be asked if you would like to add gift wrap or a name tag. It's as easy as the click of a button, which is much easier than trying to tie the perfect bow.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #5: Check Delivery Dates When placing your order, check to make sure that the item is in stock or will be delivered in time for Christmas. Many times, especially near the holidays, items will go on a backorder status. It's not uncommon for an advanced order item to have a delivery date of January, so be sure to check the status of the items in your shopping cart, along with their expected delivery dates. Not only that, but it's also a good idea to check on the company's shipping policy and delivery time for in-stock items.

Online Christmas Shopping Tip #6: Christmas Cards With all the stuff going on in December it's easy to forget to send out Christmas cards to family and friends. But if you forget to send traditional Christmas cards in time all is not lost. In fact, there are some great sites and services online that will send your Christmas cards out for you (saving you precious time). You can find services that are both free and paid, and services that send both digital and tradition paper Christmas cards.

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Recycling Your Old Computer

It’s the end of the year and many progressive towns and cities are either already recycling or are thinking about recycling old computers. Many municipalities already do this with TV sets, but not so many do it with computers.

  There are quite a few reusable parts in a computer when you think of it, but most people just throw their old computers away when they cease working or get 'too slow'.

  Then they go out and purchase a new one which has precisely the same DVD player as they just put in the bin. That goes for the internet card, the hard drive and the modem and other bits and pieces too, I am certain. There might even be toxic substances in the chips that could pollute the soil at the landfill site.

  It will almost certainly become normal practice in the not too distant future to recycle computers and other items of electronic apparatus. In fact there are already some places that willingly accept 'old' computers, although there are not many that recycle the components out of broken ones.

  Some churches and most charity shops will take working computers to redistribute (or sell) to children, whose parents cannot afford to buy them or to be sent to Third World countries, where there is a dire need for computer hardware so that children are not left behind in the technological advances being made in communication and workplace apparatus.

  However, there do not seem to be enough people cannibalizing old computers to make ones that work. After all, any computer is better than no computer at all and it does not take an advanced machine to go on the Internet, particularly if you do not insist on running Windows 7. Older versions of Windows are more that capable or running Internet software. We used them for years, didn't we?

  Monitors and printers are also reusable or even recyclable, although these things are not usually thrown out as frequently as computers. Monitors can be taken care of in the same fashion as televisions; anyway it is always handy to have a standby monitor.

    Ink cartridges should be refilled rather than replaced. All you need is a bottle of the correct sort of ink. Indian ink will do for the black cartridge which is the one most people replace the most often.

  Take a syringe with a needle, suck up a couple of milliliters and squirt it through the hole in the side - NOT through the hole in the bottom, or you will harm the cartridge. This hole is usually concealed with sticky tape or a label, but it is easy to find if you are looking for it. You can refill cartridges a dozen or more times, before they get clogged and that can save hundreds of dollars (on average a black cartridge costs $10-15).

  Color cartridges are refillable in the same way and you should be able to get hold of the three inks necessary for color printing at a printer. Color cartridges are even more costly to replace. Another advantage of refilling yourself is that you will not run out of ink halfway through a print job.

[bendaled-blog]

The Bold and the Youthful

You’re not like everybody else. You want your style to reflect your personality and you want your home to do the same. But, there in lies the challenge. What if your home is a temporary home? Maybe it’s the first home you’ve ever bought and you know that you are not likely to stay longer than 5 or 6 years. Resale value is fundamental. Choosing leopard stripped carpets or Simpson “Orange” cabinetry may not be the best bet.

  So what’s a style maven to do? Tape light. Tape light covers a multitude of sins. 1) Its super easy to install. 2) It doesn’t have to be permanent and 3) it comes in a multitude of colors. Use for under cabinet display lighting or in your glass cabinets for that matter. It’s a great way to use decorative and accent lighting in an unexpected way that gives a punch, to the already expected yet sublime punch of color.

  3M adhesive makes tape light functional just about anywhere. Available in lengths from one foot up to more than 16 feet, the installation applications are endless. Most tape light kits run of small 12v or 24v batteries making the application not only inexpensive, it’s downright practical.

  Sororities and Fraternities common areas as well as environments where visual cues can be impactful and make statements are just a few of the ways that Tape Light can be used effectively and inexpensively.

  Used primarily in after market automotive applications, Tape light has taken on a life of its own. Back light a bookcase. Create an impromptu bar for your patio or deck with little or no expense and without calling an electrician.

  If you have an hour and a bit of imagination to go with that bold personality, then mums the word. Onward and upward. For more ideas on decorating with Tape Light, visit us at Bendaled.